Recycling Requirements: Austin vs Pflugerville
How do recycling requirements rules compare between Austin, TX and Pflugerville, TX?
Pflugerville has fewer restrictions than Austin.
Austin, TX
Travis County
Austin has a Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO) adopted in 2012 requiring recycling and organics diversion for commercial properties, multifamily properties, and food-permitted establishments. The URO supports Austin's Zero Waste goal of diverting 90% of waste from landfills by 2040. All properties with trash service of 96 gallons or more per week must provide recycling. Food-permitted businesses must divert organics. Single-family homes receive single-stream recycling through Austin Resource Recovery.
View full Austin rules →Pflugerville, TX
Travis County
Austin City Code §15-6-91 mandates single-stream recycling for all residences and commercial properties (Universal Recycling Ordinance). Unincorporated Travis County has no recycling mandate; residents recycle voluntarily through private haulers.
View full Pflugerville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Austin | Pflugerville |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinance | Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO) — 2012 | - |
| Goal | Zero Waste — 90% diversion by 2040 | - |
| Commercial | Recycling required for 96+ gallons/week trash service | - |
| Food Businesses | Organics diversion required | - |
| Residential | Single-stream recycling provided by ARR | - |
| Austin URO | - | §15-6-91 mandatory |
| Multifamily | - | Must provide recycling |
| Accepts | - | Paper, glass, metal, #1-5, #7 |
| Excludes | - | Bags, styrofoam, food |
| Unincorp | - | Voluntary only |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Austin FAQ
Is recycling mandatory in Austin?
Yes. The Universal Recycling Ordinance requires commercial, multifamily, and food-permitted properties to provide recycling services. Single-family homes receive weekly single-stream recycling collection through Austin Resource Recovery.
What is Austin's Zero Waste goal?
Austin aims to divert 90% of waste from landfills by 2040. The URO is a key component requiring commercial and multifamily properties to provide recycling and food businesses to divert organics.
Pflugerville FAQ
Who enforces this in Travis County?
Travis County code enforcement at (512) 854-4260 handles most complaints.
Who enforces this in Travis County?
Travis County code enforcement at (512) 854-4260 handles most complaints.
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